Air valve and gauge



Sept. 2, 1924.

L. T. ERNHEART AIR VALVE AND GAUGE INVENTOR.

ae/5N 7,' Enf/mmm? ATTORNEYS.

QI lo Filed Sem. 18 1922 Patented Sept. 2, 1924..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUCIEN T. EARNHEART, OF SAUNEEIIIN, TLLTNOS, ASSEGNO? TO THE ,SAFETY FIRST DEVICES COMPANY, INC., OF INDNACLIS, TUBIANA,

. CORPGRATION.

AR VALVE ANI) GAUGE.

AApplication filed September 18, 1922. Serial No. 583,890.

T 0 all whom t may con-cera.'

Be it known that I, LUGIEN T. EARNHEART, citizen of the United States, and a resident of Saunemin7 county of Livingston, and State of Tllinois, have invented a certain new and useful Air Valve and Gauge; and T do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts.

This invention is an improvement in pressure air indicating valves of thel general construction and type set forth in previous Letters Patent granted to me December 7, 1920, No. 1,361,570, and Letters Patent granted to Chauncy B. Earnheart, Nos. 1,805,265 and 1,305,266. This invention includes certain improvements over the structures shown in said prior Letters Patent.

@ne feature of the present invention consists in providing means for permitting slight rotary movement of the gauge in order to bring the numerals to the front, and it also provides for the torsional movement wnen it is being forced outward by the air pressure after the cap has been removed. During such outward movement, the stretching of the spiral spring associated with the gauge causes the gauge to turn, and therefore, in this invention such torsional movement is provided for. It is desirable to have some freedom of torsional movement in .the gauge, but not too much.

Another feature of this invention consists in a simple arrangement of the valve and one in which the valve canbe released without the use of any instrument by merely providing the screw cap associated with the valve, .whereby the valve can be secured in place or removed by. merely turning the screw cap. This makes the manipulation of the valve much simpler for the automobile user. Furthermore, the valve is merely a metal member with a tapering end which fitsagainst a yielding valve seat.. There are `no multiplicity of members in the valve construction to increase the expense of manufacture or trouble in its use.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the device with an external cap twelve sided inside and out which contains an internal twelve sided slidable nut adapted to be screwed onto the outer end of .the'valvestructurm and the cap is internally threaded at its open end to engage the rim nut on the casing so as to hold the cap at its inner .limit of movement. The cap screws on the pushed in valve structure and said casing nut simultaneously. This is used in association with an indicating valve mechanism of the type herein shown, which is spring-held and which must be forced outward by the air pressure in the tire, in order to indicate the pressure and which must be held in its inner position by the external cap.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Tn the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the entire valve mechanism in its closed condition. Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 with the cap removed and with the indicator forced outward.v Fig. 3v is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. i is a section on the line d-t of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a central vertical section of the outer casing by itself in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 0 is a side elevation of said outer casing showing the fiat and threaded sides thereof. Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 1.

There is shown in the drawings a short valve stem 10 with a central air passage 1l and a flange 12 on the lower end, whereby7 it is secured tothe pneumatic tire by a clamp nut on the outer casing 13, said tire and clamp nut not being shown. The casing 13 is internally threaded at its lower end where it screws on the valve Vstem 10. The casing is externally threaded throughout its length, as shown in Fig. 6, but its two opposite sides are flattened throughout the length of the casing, as shown in Figs. a and 0.

The outer end of the short valve stem 10 is reduced somewhat in diameter, but not externally threaded. @ver the reduced end of the stem 10 the spring holder 17 fits, the external surface of which is hexagonal and smooth, as seen in Fig. 7 The corners made by the hexagonal faces of the holder 17 enter the complementary xi-shaped ways formed in the casing, as shown in Fig. 7. The spring holder 17 has a reduced upper portion, leaving an outer shoulder 18 vwhich abuts against the overhanging portions of the casing 13 at the upper ends of thel V- shaped ways. The spiral spring 19A surlen;

rounds the reduced portion of the spring holder 17 and abuts against the shoulder 18. Tithin the spiral spring, there is a flexible air-tight tube 20, the lower end of which projects into the spring holder 17 surrounding the conical and large portion 21 of the tubular metal union 22, which forms a connection between said flexible tube and the valve stem 10. The lower end of the union projects into a suitable seat formed in the upper part of the valve stem. The lower end ot the flexible tube extends downwardly beyond the conical enlargement 21 and forms a gasket or washer extending` inwardly beneath the `reduced lower end of the union 22. The spring holder 17 has a complementary formed conical tubular enlargement in its inner surface to receive the conical enlargement 21 of the union 22 and the flexible tube 20. Therefore, when the casing 13 is screwed down on the valve stem 10, it forces the conical inner wall of the spring' holder 17 down on the iexible tube 20 and makes an air-tight joint.

Around the upper end of the tube 2G, there is ano-ther spring holder 25 which is vertically movable in the casing 13. lts lower end is reduced to extend into the spring 19. Both spring holders 25 and 17 are screwed to the ends of the spring 19 and cannot escape therefrom. Viithin the upper spring holder 25, there isranother metal union 22 similar to that at the lower end tor securing the upper end of the tube in place with an air-tight connection, as desired. Said upper spring holder 25 at its upper end is internally threaded to screw on the lower reduced threaded end 26 of a tubular gauge member 27.

The gauge member 27 is vertically slidable in the casing 13 and under air pressure will project beyond the .outer end of the casing, as shown in Fig. 2, in proportion to the air pressure, and it is provided with in dicating markers 75 and numerals 60, 8O and 100 being shown representing the pounds pressure of the air in the tire.

The spiral spring 19 is in its normal condition of tension when it is collapsed, as shown in Fig. 1, and it yieldingly resists the outward movement of the gauge tube 27 as the air under pressure Jfrom the tire tends to force the gauge tube outward.

The gauge tube is forced inward in the casino' 13 and the s rin@ 19 is com ressedV by an external cap 50 which is internally threaded at its lower end and screws on an externally threaded extension 51 of a nut 52, which screws on the casing 13. l/Vhen a person desires to learn the air pressure in the tire, he unscrews the cap 50 and then the gauge member 27 is forced outward, as shown in Fig. 2, and the indicating line 75, which is just at the outer end of the casing 13, indicates to him the pressure of the air in the tire. As the device is shown in Fig. 2, it indicates substantially 8O pounds pressure. A nut 52 serves as the usual clamp nut for such devices.

Above the indicating portion of the gauge member 27, it is for a short distance externally threaded to receive an internally threaded cap nut 53. rThe upper end oi' the cap nut is contracted and has a central opening through which a valve stem tube 54.- extends. The lower portion of said valve stem tube is hexagonal in cross section, as shown in Fig. 8, and is reduced in diameter in respect to the upper portion. Said lower portion extends down into the gauge inember 27, and `is prevented from turning therein by the hexagonal fit. 53 there is located an inverted cup-shaped member 55 which is a part off the valve stem tube 511, and within said cup-shaped niember 55, there is a rubber packing ring 56 that engages 'a shoulder 57 of the valve stem tube, so that an air tight seal is alorded by screwing the cap nutV 53 down tightly against the cup-shaped member 55 and forcing it against a packing 56, and sealing f against 57.

At the lower end ot the valve stem tube TWithin the cap nut 54 a conical valve seat 58 is located that is Y between the valve 60 and the head 62, so`

that the valve can be opened by pressing down on the top of the valve stem 61 which extends slightly above the upper end of the valve stem tube 5K1, as shown in Fig. 1.

The up er end-of the valve stem tube 511 is enlarged having substantially the same diameter as the gauge tube, and it is adapted to receive the hose nipple through which air under pressure is introduced into the tire. The hose and hose nipple are not shown, but when the hose nipple is applied, it engages the upper end of the valve stein 61 and the air under pressure entering the valve construction Vwill force the valve 60 open and admit the air which it passes through a cenytral opening 65 of the gauge tube and central openings in the spring holders 25 and 17, the spring 19 and the stem 10. When the air supplying means is removed, the spring 6a will force the valve 60 closed and also the `back pressure of the air will have that etverticallyf'guides:the associated 1parts includ ing'fthe gau'geitub'e. But "it doiesfirotholdtli'e gauge tube entirely from rotary movement This is Vto'j enable the gauge 'tube tosbe slightly't'urned" one'way: or'the other, whenitfis being readl so' that "thefffigures will face" the--in# dividual lan'd'be easily understood. lsot-he limitingsleeve provides ffor. the torsional nio'v'ementfof the gauge member due'ltotlie iin-winding movement of "thev spiral spring 19 when it isz being stretched, asshown`- insFig'l while' the' gauge Iis beingmoved outward. Both of; these functions: ofy ythe sleeve 66"*are importanti Y o Tlfeva'lve capistwe-lve' sided insidefa-nd outside; and has "an eXte-nsion'at its lower end 51` enlarged and threaded i inside to screw on a rim nut 52 of a valve stem. 'll-here' is a slidable nut 8Gl twelve lsided whichV will just slip in the valve cap 50-andr'cann'otturn in it. Thisslidable, nut 8O is split at its upper end 81' longitudinally ina two places part way through the nut to allow the upper end to have a spring action. There is in serted in this nut 80 a cap 82 filled with packing 83 with the packing toward the lower end of the nut. A wedge-shaped metal washer 84 is pushed in to the upper end of the nut 80. Said nut has an annular recess or seat 85 to receive this wedge-shaped washer 84, and is then inserted in the cap 50, being threaded to screw on the upper end of the gauge valve stem 54. The valve cap 50 is reduced slightly after the nut 8O is inserted so that the nut cannot be pulled out of the cap. This reduction is ust above the threaded portion of the cap at its outer end. The nut 80 is now in a position to slide up and down in the cap. Upon screwing the cap 50 on to a valve stem, the upper threaded portion of the valve stem 54 would screw into the nut 80 in the valve cap 5() and push upward on the packing 83 in the cup 82. Said cup in turn would push upward on the wedge-shaped washer 84 and cause the upper end of the nut to spread against the inner wall of the cap and the nut could not now be moved upward or downward in said cap. Said nut, however, would be sealed against the valve `stem* 54.

In using this valve cap on the gauge valve,

the aetionisf. aslfollowsl: Beginning with thef nu-ti 80 "closedown "t'o' the'fouter end ofthe valveicapti, andfdesiringlto put it on the gauge valve' asin Fig. 1, the tire bein'gunder pressure and the gauge member 2Tv extended, the-lcaps pushed on the gauge member 27. 'lliis-`caus'es'thefgaugel member to move downwaird'tof-its closedposition in Fig. 1. Then tlie-cap=n`ut`80 slides upward in the capi 50 until thel inner tli'readed'part of the cap is ready` toengagevon the rim nut 52, said rim nuthavingfpreviously been screwed on the valvecasing'f-15 tightly against the wheel. 1t isea'sie-r to push the `gauge :member 27- down against" cor'npression` than to push the cap nut SOlYupginthe-cap: TheA cap 50 is then ready-'tn bef screwed on'.` Theairf pressurein the"tireeisffholdirgjtheend 54 ofthe gauge member 27ftightag-ainst the threaded portion ofthe slidable nut 8'0 in the cap 50. The cap isfscrewed' onto thevalve stem tube 54 and` also on to the threadedl part 51 of the riin'nut'f52 atthe Sametime. The rim nut 52 islso tlneadedf' that the slidable nut 8O be comes-tight onjthe valvestem tube 54 before the cap 50 isfully screweddown on theA rim nut 52." The cap nuti80 vhas now sealedithe upperE end'of the valve stem` 541 andithe internallythreaded lower end of the dustI cap 50b'eing screwedlon tofthe rimfnut 52zpreventsl the gauge membery lifting the cap 50 outwards from the' casingv 15. lirthis position therim nut? 52-5holds'thefcapv50 firmly. The vslidable lcarp Knut 80 has'pusliedtthe gauge member 54'dow-n to its inner position and also said nut 8() has sealedl the gaugemember 54 at its outer end and has become sealed in the cap 50.

It will be noted by this description that the slidable nut in the cap will adjust itself at the right time. The position it has in the cap 50 will depend upon the distance it moves to allow the outer internally threaded end of the cap 50 to be in position to screw on the rrim nut 52. Thus the slidable nut will be in different positions on different valve stems, depending upon the amount of the valve stem extending upward from the rim nut which will vary in different tires. Then the valve cap 50 is unscrewed, the slidable nut 80 remains in the position it now is in, thus the cap is adjusted to this particular tire. The nut 80 is now loosely held in the cap 50, but can easily be adjusted to a new position in the cap if it is desirable to do so. 011e easy way to do this is to slip the cap 50 on the valve stem of the spare tire until it engages the stem slightly and pulls the nut 8O downward toward the open end 50.

The operation of this valve mechanism is very convenient and simple. The cap 50 is removed and then the gauge tube will be forced outward to indicate the air pressure in the tire. If it is desirable to fill the tire, an air supply tube is applied to the outer end of the valve structure, thepart 54, until the gauge tube indictes the desired air pressure in the tire. Then the cap is put on the valve st-ructure and forced inward as far as possible and when it is turned as far as possible, it will cause all the parts to be in their proper position. If it be desired to remove the valve, all that is necessaiy is to turn the part 53, shown in Fig. 2, and uiiscrew it from the gauge tube 27 and then lift out the cap screw and part 54 which would leave the valve stem 6l protruding and that can be lifted out by the fingers and thus the valve be removed. In replacing the valve, the valve proper with the valve stem 61 is introduced intoL the gauge tube and then the part 54 is placed over the valve stem and the cap screwed down on the gauge tube. No eXtra tool is required, therefore, to remove or replace the valve.

The invention herein is not limited to the particular construction shown and described or the means for holding and withdrawing the valve portion of the device, as such construction and arrangement is equally applicable to the ordinary air pressure valve structure heretofore old in the art, whereby the valve can be removed by the fingers unscrewing the cap nut 53, instead of using an instrument.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a pressure indicating air valve structure, a` iiXed valve casing, a spring- Withheld air-pressure gauge slidable in said structure, a fixed valve casing, a spring- :.1

withheld air-pressure gauge slidable in said casing, and non-rotatable means slidably Vmounted in said casing for limiting the torsional movement of said gauge.

3. In a pressure indicating air valve structure, a fixed valve casing, a` springwithheld air-pressure gauge slidable in said casing having at its inner end a peripheral notch, and a sleeveY splined in said casing with an extension into said notchl so as to permit limited torsional movement ofsaid gauge. Y

4. In a ressure indicating air valve structure, a 'Xed valve casing with Ya longitudinal groove'therein, an air-pressure indicating tube slidable in said casing, a spiral spring fiXedly held at the innerend of the valve stem and connected with said gauge to permit the gauge to move outward under air pressure, and a sleeveslidable in said casing with a spline projecting into said groove and having a projection toward said gauge, said gauge being peripherally recessed to receive said extension and said recess being wider than said extension whereby the gauge will have a limited torsional movement.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.A i

vLUoiEN T. EARNHEART. 

